Wiper blade

ABSTRACT

A wiper blade including an elongate wiper strip, an elastic backing element and a mounting base. The wiper strip including a lip, a wide portion, and narrower intermediate portion between the lip and the wide portion. The backing element having a top portion from which two legs descend, such that each leg includes a claw that extends towards the opposite leg and has ends that define a gap sized to receive the intermediate portion of the wiper strip. The top portion, legs and claws of defining a wiper strip cavity where the wide portion of the wiper strip is disposed. The mounting base disposed on a section of the backing element and capable of connecting the wiper blade to a wiper arm and receiving force from same, such that the mounting base applies the force from the wiper arm to the backing element, which distributes same along the wiper strip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/246,567, filed Oct. 26, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the disclosure relate in general to windshield wipers, andmore particularly, to a wiper blade including a backing element, a wiperstrip, a mounting base and a cover.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of different types of wiper blades currently used onvehicles. “Traditional” or “conventional” wiper blades have a series ofbrackets (also called yokes or frames) arranged in tournament-style,which distribute the force from the wiper arm down to the wiper strip.“Beam” wiper blades, or beam blades, use a spring-elastic metal beam(also called a support element) to distribute the force from the wiperarm to the wiper strip. “Hybrid” wiper blades use both a beam andbrackets to distribute the force from the wiper arm to the wiper strip.

The disclosed concepts offer a new solution, using a shaped backingelement in place of a beam or traditional frames.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended toneither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineatethe scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some conceptsof the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade may include an elongate wiperstrip, an elastic backing element and a mounting base. The elongatewiper strip may include a wiping lip, a wide portion, and anintermediate portion between the wiping lip and the wide portion, suchthat the intermediate portion is narrower than the wide portion. Theelastic elongate backing element may have a top portion from which twoopposing, elongate legs descend, such that each leg includes an elongateclaw that extends towards the opposite leg. Each leg may have an endsuch that the ends of the claws of the two legs may define a gap sizedto receive the intermediate portion of the wiper strip. The top portion,legs and claws of the backing element may define a wiper strip cavitysuch that the wide portion of the wiper strip may be disposed within thewiper strip cavity. The mounting base may be capable of connecting thewiper blade to a wiper arm, and capable of receiving a force from thewiper arm. The mounting base may be disposed on a section of the backingelement such that the mounting base is capable of applying a force fromthe wiper arm to the backing element. In turn, the backing element maythereby be capable of distributing the force along the length of thewiper strip.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade may include an elongate wiperstrip, an elastic backing element, a mounting base and first and secondcover sections. The wiper strip may include a wiping lip, a wideportion, and an intermediate portion between the wiping lip and the wideportion, such that the intermediate portion is narrower than the wideportion. The backing element may include a top portion from which twoopposing, elongate legs descend, such that each leg comprises anelongate claw that extends towards the opposite leg. The claws may haveends such that the ends of the claws of the two legs may define a gapsized to receive the intermediate portion of the wiper strip. The topportion, legs and claws may define a wiper strip cavity such that thewide portion of the wiper strip is disposed within the wiper stripcavity. The mounting base may be capable of connecting the wiper bladeto a wiper arm and receiving force from the wiper arm. The mounting basemay be disposed on a section of the backing element such that themounting base is capable of applying a force from the wiper arm to thebacking element, and the backing element is capable of distributing theforce along the length of the wiper strip. A first cover section mayextend from a first end of the mounting base to a first end of thebacking element. A second cover section may extend from a second end ofthe mounting base to a second end of the backing element. The first andsecond ends of the mounting base may be provided with projectingextensions. The first and second cover sections may be provided withextension recesses. The projecting extensions of the first and secondends of the mounting base may fit within, and be covered by, theextension recesses of the first and second cover sections, respectively.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade may include an elongate wiperstrip, an elastic backing element, a mounting base and a first coversection. The elongate wiper strip may include a wiping lip, a wideportion, and an intermediate portion between the wiping lip and the wideportion, wherein the intermediate portion is narrower than the wideportion. The elastic, elongate backing element may have a top portionfrom which two opposing, elongate legs descend, such that each leg mayinclude an elongate claw that extends towards the opposite leg. Theclaws may each have an end such that the ends of the claws of the twolegs may define a gap sized to receive the intermediate portion of thewiper strip. The top portion, legs and claws may define a wiper stripcavity and the wide portion of the wiper strip may be disposed withinthe wiper strip cavity. The mounting base may be capable of connectingthe wiper blade to a wiper arm and may receive a force from the wiperarm. The mounting base may be disposed on a section of the backingelement such that the mounting base may be capable of applying a forcefrom the wiper arm to the backing element, and the backing element maybe capable of distributing the force along the length of the wiperstrip. The first cover section may extend from a first end of themounting base to a first end of the backing element. The first end ofthe mounting base may include a projecting extension, and the firstcover section may include an extension recess, such that the projectingextension fits within, and is covered by, the extension recess of thefirst cover section. The mounting base may further include a first andsecond base wall which may extend downwards from a bottom surface. Eachbase wall may be provided with a bottom base claw which extends inwardlytowards the other base wall, such that the base walls cover and securethe portion of the backing element on which the mounting base isdisposed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings set forth exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concepts,and are not intended to be limiting in any way.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiper blade.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of the wiper blade shown in FIG.1, with a portion of the cover drawn transparent.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of an exploded rendition of thecomponents of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view from above of the mounting base ofthe wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view from below of the mounting base ofthe wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the mounting base of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a back view of the mounting base of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the mounting base of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the mounting base of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the mounting base of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the mounting base of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view from the front of themounting base of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view from behind of the mountingbase of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view from above of a cover section ofthe wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view from below of a cover section ofthe wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of a cover section of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 illustrates a back view of a cover section of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view from the front of a coversection of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view from behind of a coversection of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of a cover section of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of a cover section of the wiper bladeshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view from below of a cover section ofthe wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view from above of the shaped backingelement of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view from below of the shaped backingelement of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of the shaped backing element of thewiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 24 illustrates a cross-sectional profile of the shaped backingelement of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 25 illustrates a front view of the shaped backing element of thewiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 illustrates a cross-sectional view from the front of the shapedbacking element of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 27 illustrates a top view of the shaped backing element of thewiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 28 illustrates a bottom view of the shaped backing element of thewiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example connector that may be used with the wiperblade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 30 illustrates a perspective view from above of the vertebrae ofthe wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 31 illustrates a perspective view from above of the wiper strip ofthe wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional profile of the wiper strip of thewiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 33 illustrates a cross-sectional view from the side of the backingelement, vertebrae and wiper strip of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 34 illustrates a perspective view from above of the junctionbetween the mounting base, backing element and cover section of thewiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 35 illustrates a perspective view from above of the junctionbetween the mounting base and cover section of the wiper blade shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view from below of the end of thewiper strip and cover section of the wiper blade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 37 illustrates a perspective view from the side of the end of thewiper strip, backing element, vertebrae and cover section of the wiperblade shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 38 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof the backing element.

FIG. 39 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof the backing element.

FIG. 40 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof the backing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description and the appended drawings describeand illustrate exemplary embodiments solely for the purpose of enablingone of ordinary skill in the relevant art to make and use the invention.As such, the detailed description and illustration of these embodimentsare purely exemplary in nature and are in no way intended to limit thescope of the invention, or its protection, in any manner. It should alsobe understood that the drawings are not to scale and in certaininstances details have been omitted, which are not necessary for anunderstanding of the present invention, such as conventional details offabrication and assembly.

In certain embodiments a wiper blade may include an elongate wiperstrip, an elastic backing element and a mounting base. The elongatewiper strip may include a wiping lip, a wide portion, and anintermediate portion between the wiping lip and the wide portion, suchthat the intermediate portion is narrower than the wide portion. Theelastic elongate backing element may have a top portion from which twoopposing, elongate legs descend, such that each leg includes an elongateclaw that extends towards the opposite leg. Each leg may have an endsuch that the ends of the claws of the two legs may define a gap sizedto receive the intermediate portion of the wiper strip. The top portion,legs and claws of the backing element may define a wiper strip cavitysuch that the wide portion of the wiper strip may be disposed within thewiper strip cavity. The mounting base may be capable of connecting thewiper blade to a wiper arm, and capable of receiving a force from thewiper arm. The mounting base may be disposed on a section of the backingelement such that the mounting base is capable of applying a force fromthe wiper arm to the backing element. In turn, the backing element may,thereby, be capable of distributing the force along the length of thewiper strip.

In certain embodiments, the top portion of the backing element mayinclude a securing hole disposed within the section of the backingelement on which the mounting base is disposed. In certain suchembodiments, the mounting base may include a backing element securingpeg, wherein the backing element securing peg is disposed within thesecuring hole of the backing element.

In certain embodiments, a first cover section may extend from a firstend of the mounting base to a first end of the backing element. Incertain embodiments, the first end of the mounting base furthercomprises a projecting extension, and the first cover section may beprovided with an extension recess, such that the projecting extensionfits within, and is covered by, the extension recess of the first coversection. In certain such embodiments, the mounting base may also includea cover securing peg located on the projecting extension, and the firstcover section may include a securing hole located in the extensionrecess, wherein the cover securing beg is located within the securinghole. In certain embodiments, a second cover section may extend from asecond end of the mounting base to a second end of the backing element.In certain embodiments, the first cover section may be provided with atleast one leg, such that the leg comprises a bottom claw, wherein thebottom claw secures the first cover section to the backing element.

In certain embodiments, the first cover section may include a backingelement cavity, and the backing element may include a first coveredsection extending from the first end of the mounting base to the firstend of the backing element, wherein the first covered section of thebacking element is disposed within the backing element cavity of thefirst cover section. In certain such embodiments, the backing elementcavity of the first cover section may include a backing element topcavity, such that the top portion of the backing element top cavity isdisposed within the backing element top cavity along the first coveredsection of the backing element. In certain embodiments, the backingelement may further include a first rail, and the first cover sectionmay further include a backing element channel cavity such that the firstrail of the backing element is disposed within the backing elementchannel cavity of the first cover section along the first coveredsection of the backing element. In certain embodiments, the backingelement may include a second rail, wherein a first groove is formed byand between the first rail and the second rail. In certain suchembodiments, a vertebra is disposed within the first groove. In certainembodiments, the backing element further comprises third and fourthrails, wherein a second groove is formed by and between the third andfourth rails, and a second vertebra is disposed within the secondgroove.

In certain embodiments, the first cover section may embody a spoilerhaving an apex and an attack surface. In certain embodiments, a vertebramay be disposed inside the wiper strip cavity above the wiper strip.

In certain embodiments, the mounting base may further include a firstand second base wall which extend downwards from a bottom surface, suchthat each base wall is provided with a bottom base claw which extendsinwardly towards the other base wall. The base walls may cover andsecure the portion of the backing element on which the mounting base isdisposed.

In certain embodiments, the mounting base may include a pair of cavitywalls and a rivet extending therebetween such that the rivet may receiveand secure a connector such that the mounting base is capable ofconnecting to a wiper arm through the use of the connector.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade may include an elongate wiperstrip, an elastic backing element, a mounting base and a first coversection. The elongate wiper strip may include a wiping lip, a wideportion, and an intermediate portion between the wiping lip and the wideportion, wherein the intermediate portion is narrower than the wideportion. The elastic, elongate backing element may have a top portionfrom which two opposing, elongate legs descend such that each leg mayinclude an elongate claw that extends towards the opposite leg. Theclaws may each have an end such that the ends of the claws of the twolegs may define a gap sized to receive the intermediate portion of thewiper strip. The top portion, legs and claws may define a wiper stripcavity and the wide portion of the wiper strip may be disposed withinthe wiper strip cavity. The mounting base may be capable of connectingthe wiper blade to a wiper arm and may receive a force from the wiperarm. The mounting base may be disposed on a section of the backingelement such that the mounting base may be capable of applying a forcefrom the wiper arm to the backing element, and the backing element maybe capable of distributing the force along the length of the wiperstrip. The first cover section may extend from a first end of themounting base to a first end of the backing element. The first end ofthe mounting base may include a projecting extension, and the firstcover section may include an extension recess, such that the projectingextension fits within, and is covered by, the extension recess of thefirst cover section. The mounting base may further include a first andsecond base wall which may extend downwards from a bottom surface. Eachbase wall may be provided with a bottom base claw which extends inwardlytowards the other base wall, such that the base walls cover and securethe portion of the backing element on which the mounting base isdisposed.

FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B illustrate a wiper blade 1 which may have a mountingbase 2, cover sections 3, a backing element 4, vertebrae 6, and a wiperstrip 7. The mounting base 2 may be configured to connect to a wiper armthrough the use of a connector 5 or an adapter. One possible connector 5which may be used in accordance with the disclosed concepts is depictedin FIG. 29. Such a connector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,380,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Any othersuitable connectors or adapters known in the art may also be used withthe disclosed concepts, including the connectors described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 8,806,700 and 9,108,595, and U.S. Publication Nos. 2013/0185889,2013/0192015, 2014/0283325 and 2015/0251637, which are each incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties. Persons of skill in the artwill also recognize that the mounting base may be specifically adaptedto connect to a particular type of wiper arm directly without the use ofa connector or an adapter, including the mounting base designs disclosedin U.S. Publication No. 2014/0082875, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Similarly, persons of skill in the art willrecognize that the cover with a spoiler depicted in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1Bis exemplary, and that any suitable cover, with or without a spoiler,may also be used in accordance with the disclosed concepts, includingcovers having spoilers with constant height and shape, covers havingdecreasing height, spoilers forming a centered isosceles triangle, or anoff-center spoiler (as shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B), including covers asdescribed in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2012/0266405 and 2013/0205532,which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.Additionally, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatany suitable wiper strip known in the art may be used in accordance withthe disclosed concepts, including the wiper strips described in U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/139,383, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

One exemplary mounting base 2 that may be used in accordance with thedisclosed concepts is illustrated in FIGS. 2-11. The mounting base ispreferably made of hard plastic, though any other suitable material orcombination of materials known in the art, including metals, rubber, andresins, may also be used. In some embodiments, the mounting base, orportions thereof, may be made from a material having a Shore Hardness Aof 85±5 or greater. In some embodiments, the mounting base, or portionsthereof, may be made from a material having a Shore Hardness A of 95±5or greater. In other embodiments, the mounting base 2 may be made frommultiple materials, or have multiple hardnesses. For example, in onesuch embodiment, the hardness of the cavity walls 20 and claws 241, 242,261, 262 and the material joining same may be greater than the hardnessof the other parts of the mounting base 2. For example, the cavity walls20 and claws 241, 242, 261, 262 may be made from metal or hard plastic,while the other portions of the mounting base 2 may be made from asofter plastic or rubber. Persons of skill in the art will recognizethat disclosed concepts may be implemented in many different ways, anddifferent design choices may be made with respect to materials for allcomponents, including the mounting base.

The mounting base 2 may have two or more cavity side walls 20 defining acavity 23 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2, two of the sidewalls 20 mayextend in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 1, and a rivet21 may extend and be secured between same. The mounting base may furtherhave one or more pin holes 22 to allow the pin of a pin-type wiper armto pass through and be secured, by a connector 5 or otherwise. Themounting base may further have a shoulder 25 having a shape that iscomplementary to, identical to, or otherwise follows the shape of thecover sections 3. The mounting base may have a base section 24 defininga backing element cavity 29 therewithin. The base section 24 may have abase bottom surface 240, legs, a base bottom claw 241, and a base topclaw 242.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base bottom surface 240 may be recessed from thetop claw 242 to form a backing element top cavity 290. The base bottomclaw 241 and base top claw 242 may form a groove having a backingelement channel cavity 291 therewithin. The backing element cavity 29may receive the backing element 4, with the top portion 40 of thebacking element 4 being received by the backing element top cavity 290and the rails 44 and vertebra 6 being received by the channel cavity291. If no vertebrae are located in the groove 45 between the rails 44of the backing element, the mounting base 2 may include an intermediateclaw (not shown) to engage and accommodate the groove 45. The mountingbase may further have one or more backing element securing pegs 28,which may extend from the base bottom surface 240 and engage securingholes 46 in the backing element. The mounting base 2 may also have oneor more cover securing pegs 27 that engages with a securing hole 37 inthe cover section in order to secure the cover section 3 to the mountingbase 2.

The mounting base may further have a projecting extension 26, whichprojects into, and is received by the extension recess 36 in the coversection 3, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35. Persons of skill in the art willrecognize that the projecting extension 26 and the extension recess 36may be swapped such that the mounting base 2 may have an extensionrecess that receives a projecting extension from the cover section 3. Asshown in FIGS. 2-6, the projecting extension 26 may be recessed from thebase wall 24 and shoulder 25. As also shown in those figures, thesecuring pegs 27, 28 may be disposed on the projecting extension 26. Thesecuring pegs 27, 28 and securing hole 37, 46 may engage via a snap fit,friction fit, or other form fitting connection. Persons of skill in theart will recognize that the securing mechanism may be swapped, havingthe securing holes located in the mounting base 2, and the securing pegslocated in the cover section/backing element. Persons of skill in theart will also recognize that any other suitable securing mechanism knownin the art may be used, including detents and recesses, dovetails,opposed projections, and other such structures may be used. Persons ofskill in the art will also recognize that the securing mechanism neednot be on the top surface of the projecting extension, but may be on theside, or may extend from the side of the shoulder, or any otherarrangement known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 3 & 7, the base bottom surface 240 may extend andcontinue into the projection 26. Similarly, the projecting extension mayinclude an extension top claw 262 and an extension bottom claw 261 thatmay extend from and be aligned with the top base claw 242 and bottombase claw 241, respectively.

FIGS. 12-20 illustrate an exemplary cover section 3 in accordance withthe disclosed concepts. The cover section 3 is preferably made of soft,elastic plastic or rubber, although any other suitable material orcombination of materials known in the art, such as resins and silicon,for instance, may be used. In some embodiments, the cover section, orportions thereof, may be made from a material having a Shore Hardness Aof 70±5 or less. In other embodiments, the cover section, or portionsthereof, may be made from a material having a Shore Hardness A of 60±5or less. In other embodiments, the mounting base 2 may be made frommultiple materials, or having multiple hardnesses. It may beadvantageous to have some portions of the cover section, such as theclaws, made from a harder material, such as one having a Shore HardnessA of 85±5 or greater, or one having a Shore Hardness A of 95±5 orgreater. For example, in one such embodiment, the hardness of the claws32, 34 352 may be greater than the hardness of the other parts of thecover section 3. For example, the claws 32, 34 352 may be made from hardplastic, while the other portions of the cover section 3 may be madefrom a softer plastic or rubber. Persons of skill in the art willrecognize that disclosed concepts may be implemented in many differentways, and different design choices may be made with respect to materialsfor all components, including the cover section.

The cover section 3 may include a top surface 30. As discussed above,any suitable cover known in the art may be used, with or without aspoiler. As shown in FIGS. 12-20, the top surface of the cover 30 mayform a spoiler having an apex 300, an attack surface 301, and a backsurface 302. As shown in FIG. 12, the attack surface 302 may be concave.The cover may further have at least one leg 31, where the back surface302 may blend into, or be in line with, the leg 31. Thus, the bottomportion of the back surface 302 may also be considered a leg 31. Asdiscussed above, the apex 300 may be centered (not shown), and the backsurface may also be provided with an attack surface such that thespoiler forms an isosceles triangle (with or without concave attacksurface sides) such that the front of the wiper blade 1 functions thesame as the back of the wiper blade 1. As illustrated in FIG. 12, theapex 300 may end before the end of cover section 3, and a top wall 303may join the attack surface 301 and the back surface 302. An end wall 35may be provided and used to join the ends of the top surface 30(including the top wall 303, attack surface 301, back surface 302,and/or the apex 300) and the leg(s) 31. As shown in FIG. 36, the endwall 35 encapsulates and surrounds the wiper strip 7 and backing element4.

As discussed above, the inner end of the cover section 3, adjacent tothe mounting base 2, may have an extension recess 36, which receives theprojecting extension 26 from the mounting base 2. As also discussedabove, an extension recess 36 may be provided with a securing hole 37that receives a cover securing peg 27 from the mounting base. Asdiscussed above, persons of skill in the art will recognize that thecover securing peg 27 and securing hole 37 may engage via a snap fit,friction fit, or other form fitting connection. Persons of skill in theart will recognize that securing mechanism may be swapped, having thesecuring holes located in the mounting base 2, and the securing pegslocated in the cover section/backing element. Persons of skill in theart will also recognize that any other suitable securing mechanism knownin the art may be used, including detents and recesses, dovetails,opposed projections, and other such structures may be used. Persons ofskill in the art will also recognize that the securing mechanism neednot be on the top surface of the projecting extension and bottom surfaceof the extension recess, but may be on the side, or may extend from theside of the shoulder, or any other arrangement known in the art. Theextension recess 36 may have walls and a bottom claw 362 to cover andsecure the projecting extension 26 of the mounting base.

The cover section may also have a bottom surface 38. The bottom surface38, together with the legs 31, may define a backing element cavity 33 toreceive the backing element 4. Each leg 31 may also define a top claw 34and a bottom claw 32. The bottom surface 38 may be recessed from the topclaws 34 such that the backing element cavity 33 may have a top cavity330 to receive a top portion 40 of the backing element 4. The legs 31,including the top claws 34 and bottom claws 32, may define one or morechannel cavities 331, which may be sized to receive the rails 44 of thebacking element 4, and one or more vertebrae 6. If no vertebrae areincluded, the legs may define an intermediate claw to engage a groove45, if one is present between the rails 44. The claws 32, 34 may extendalong the entire length of the cover section, or may be intermittent, orhave gaps. The cover section may optionally have backing elementsecuring structures, such as pegs, detents, shoulders, projections,recesses, holes, and other such structures known in the art, along thebottom surface 38, the claws 32, 34 or the groove formed therebetween,such that these securing structures engage corresponding complementarysecuring structures in the backing element 4, such as holes, shoulders,detents, recesses, projections, pegs and other such structures known inthe art.

FIGS. 21-28 illustrate an exemplary backing element 4 in accordance withthe disclosed concepts. The backing element 4 is preferably made ofhard, elastic plastic, though any other suitable material or combinationof materials known in the art, including metals, rubber, and resins, forexample, may be used. In some embodiments, the backing element 4, orportions thereof may be made from a material having a Shore Hardness Aof 85±5 or greater. In some embodiments, the backing element 4, orportions thereof, may be made from a material having a Shore Hardness Aof 95±5 or greater. In other embodiments, the backing element 4 may bemade from multiple materials, or have multiple hardnesses. Persons ofskill in the art will recognize that disclosed concepts may beimplemented in many different ways, and different design choices may bemade with respect to materials for all components, including themounting base. The backing element may connect to the mounting base 2,which in turn is capable of connecting to a wiper arm directly orthrough the use of a connector 5 or adapter. The backing element 5,alone or with the help of the vertebrae, distribute the force receivedfrom the wiper arm along the length of the wiper strip 7.

The elongate backing element 4 may have a top portion 40, from which twoopposing legs 41 descend. Each opposing leg may have a claw 42 whichextends towards the opposing leg. The claws 42, legs 41, and top portion40 may define a wiper strip cavity 43 sized to receive the wide portion75 of a wiper strip 7. Similarly, the opposing claws 42 may define a gaptherebetween sized to receive the intermediate portion of 73 of a wiperstrip 7—which may be narrower than the wide portion 75 of the wiperstrip 7—by engaging a recess or securing groove 76 (these terms may beused interchangeably) adjacent to the intermediate portion 73.

The backing element 4 may also have rails 44 extending along the outersurface of the legs 41 or extending from the top portion 40. As shown inFIG. 24, there may be two rails 44 extending from each outer surface ofthe legs 41/top portion 40 to define a groove 45 therebetween. Thegroove 45 may be sized to receive a vertebra 6 or flexor 6 (these termsmay be used interchangeably). The rails 44 may extend along the entirelength of the backing element 4, or may be intermittent or have gaps. Incertain embodiments where no vertebrae are used on the outside of thebacking element, the groove 45 between the rails 44 may optionally beremoved. Alternatively, in other embodiments, not using rails 44 orgrooves 45, the cavities in the mounting base 2 and cover sections 3 maybe sized to receive and secure the entire backing element 4.

As discussed above, the backing element 4 may have securing holes 46 toreceive securing pegs 28 in the mounting base. As also discussed above,the backing element may also have other securing structures, includingpegs, projections, detents, recesses, holes, shoulders, and any othersuitable structure known in the art in order to engage and secure acomplementary structure in the mounting base 2 or cover sections 3.

As discussed above, FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary connector that maybe used in accordance with the disclosed concepts to connect themounting base to a wiper arm. Persons of skill in the art will recognizethat any suitable connector known in the art may be used with thedisclosed concepts, including those set forth above and incorporated byreference.

FIG. 30 illustrates vertebrae in accordance with the disclosed concepts.The vertebrae are preferably made out of metal, such as steel, thoughmay be made from any suitable material. The vertebrae may be made from aspring-elastic material, including spring-elastic metal. Accordingly,the vertebrae 6 may, with the backing element 4, distribute the forcereceived from a wiper arm along the length of the wiper strip 7.Vertebrae may also be disposed within grooves 74 in the wide portion 75of the wiper strip 7. In embodiments not having grooves 45 and/or outerrails 44 on the backing element 4, the vertebrae may be disposed ingrooves 75 in the wiper strip, or may be disposed above the wiper strip,as shown in FIGS. 38-40.

FIGS. 31 & 32 illustrate an example wiper strip that may be used inaccordance with the disclosed concepts. The wiper strip is preferablymade of a soft rubber or plastic, but may be made of any suitablematerial. The wiper strip may have a wide portion 75 from which anarrower, intermediate portion 73 descends. The wide portion 75 mayoptionally have one or more grooves 74 which may optionally housevertebrae 6. The intermediate portion may be sized to fit between theclaws 42 of the backing element 4, and may have a recessed portion orsecuring groove 76 which is sized to receive the claws 42.

FIG. 33 illustrates the backing element 4 of the disclosed conceptshaving vertebrae 6 disposed between its rails 44, and a wiper strip 7disposed within its wiper strip cavity 43.

FIG. 34 illustrates the securing pegs 27, 28 in the mounting base whichsecure the carrier element 4 and cover section 3 to the mounting base 2.

FIG. 35 illustrates the securing pegs 27 in the mounting base whichsecures the cover section 3 to the mounting base 2.

FIGS. 1 and 36 illustrate how the end wall 35 of the cover section 3surrounds and encapsulates the backing element 4 and wiper strip 7 tosecure them against longitudinal movement.

FIG. 37 illustrates how the cover section 3 of the disclosed concept canbe disengaged from the rails 44 of the backing element 4 and foldedupwards. This allows a user to slidably remove the wiper strip 7 fromthe backing element 4 and to replace it with a new wiper strip 7. Inthis fashion, the disclosed concept allows for a refillable wiper blade,such that the end user of the product does not need to replace theentire product when ordinary wear and tear on the wiper strip 7 requiresits replacement. Instead, the user can simply fold up the end of thecover section 3 of the wiper blade 1, as shown in FIG. 37, and quicklyremove the old wiper strip and slide in a new wiper strip. In someembodiments, the claws 32, 34 of the cover section may end a distanceaway from the end wall 35 to facilitate the folding up of the coverstrip to allow access to the backing element 4 and wiper strip 7.

As discussed above, FIGS. 38-40 illustrate alternative embodiments ofthe backing element 4 having a singular internal vertebra. If theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 38, the top portion 40 of the backingelement contains a gap, there is an internal wall defining a cavitybetween the top portion and the internal wall, and the vertebra 6resides in that cavity. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 39, thereis an internal wall defining a cavity between the top portion 40 and theinternal wall and the vertebra 6 resides in that cavity. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 40, there vertebra 6 is inserted into thewiper strip cavity 43 above the wiper strip.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that while the invention willmost likely be used in conjunction with automobiles, it is suitable foruse with any vehicle. For example, in addition to automobiles, trucks,buses, locomotives, aircrafts, or any other vehicle type that uses awindshield wiper can benefit from the invention.

While specific embodiments have been discussed to illustrate theinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thedescriptions herein are intended as illustrative, and not as limiting,and that variations in the embodiments can be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

Accordingly, the foregoing descriptions are intended as illustrative,and not as limiting.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1. Wiper blade.-   2. Mounting base.-   20. Cavity walls.-   21. Rivet.-   22. Pin holes.-   23. Connector cavity.-   24. Base wall.-   240. Base bottom surface.-   241. Bottom base claw.-   242. Top base claw.-   25. Shaped shoulder.-   26. Projecting extension.-   261. Extension bottom claw.-   262. Extension top claw.-   27. Cover securing peg-   28. Backing element securing peg.-   29. Backing element cavity.-   290. Backing element top cavity-   291. Backing element channel cavity.-   3. Cover section.-   30. Top surface.-   300. Apex.-   301. Attack surface.-   302. Back surface.-   303. Top wall.-   31. Leg.-   32. Bottom claw-   33. Backing element cavity.-   330. Backing element top cavity.-   331. Backing element channel cavity.-   34. Top claw-   35. End wall-   36. Extension recess.-   362. Extension bottom claw.-   37. Securing hole.-   38. Bottom surface-   4. Backing element.-   40. Top portion-   41. Legs.-   42. Claw-   43. Wiper strip cavity.-   44. Rail.-   45. Groove.-   46. Securing hole-   5. Connector.-   6. Vertebra/vertebrae.-   7. Wiper strip.-   71. Wiper lip.-   72. Neck-   73. Intermediate portion.-   74. Vertebra groove.-   75. Wide portion.-   76. Securing groove.

We claim:
 1. A wiper blade comprising: an elongate wiper stripcomprising a wiping lip, a wide portion, and an intermediate portionbetween the wiping lip and the wide portion, wherein the intermediateportion is narrower than the wide portion; an elastic elongate backingelement having a top portion from which two opposing, elongate legsdescend, wherein each leg comprises an elongate claw that extendstowards the opposite leg and having an end such that the ends of theclaws of the two legs may define a gap sized to receive the intermediateportion of the wiper strip, such that the top portion, legs and clawsdefine a wiper strip cavity and the wide portion of the wiper strip isdisposed within the wiper strip cavity; and a mounting base that iscapable of connecting the wiper blade to a wiper arm, and receiving aforce from the wiper arm, wherein the mounting base is disposed on asection of the backing element such that the mounting base is capable ofapplying a force from the wiper arm to the backing element, and thebacking element is capable of distributing the force along the length ofthe wiper strip.
 2. The wiper blade of claim 1, wherein the top portionof the backing element further comprises a securing hole disposed withinthe section of the backing element on which the mounting base isdisposed.
 3. The wiper blade of claim 2, wherein the mounting basefurther comprises a backing element securing peg, wherein the backingelement securing peg is disposed within the securing hole of the backingelement.
 4. The wiper blade of claim 1, further comprising a first coversection extending from a first end of the mounting base to a first endof the backing element.
 5. The wiper blade of claim 4, wherein the firstend of the mounting base further comprises a projecting extension, andthe first cover section is further provided with an extension recess,such that the projecting extension fits within, and is covered by theextension recess of the first cover section.
 6. The wiper blade of claim5, wherein the mounting base further comprises a cover securing peglocated on the projecting extension, and the first cover section furthercomprises a securing hole located in the extension recess, wherein thecover securing peg is located within the securing hole.
 7. The wiperblade of claim 4, further comprising a second cover section extendingfrom a second end of the mounting base to a second end of the backingelement.
 8. The wiper blade of claim 4, wherein the first cover sectionis provided with at least one leg, such that the leg comprises a bottomclaw, wherein the bottom claw secures the first cover section to thebacking element.
 9. The wiper blade of claim 4, wherein the first coversection further comprises a backing element cavity, and the backingelement further comprises a first covered section extending from thefirst end of the mounting base to the first end of the backing element,wherein the first covered section of the backing element is disposedwithin the backing element cavity of the first cover section.
 10. Thewiper blade of claim 9, backing element cavity of the first coversection further comprises a backing element top cavity, wherein the topportion of the backing element top cavity is disposed within the backingelement top cavity along the first covered section of the backingelement.
 11. The wiper blade of claim 9, wherein the backing elementfurther comprises a first rail, and the first cover section furthercomprises a backing element channel cavity such that the first rail ofthe backing element is disposed within the backing element channelcavity of the first section along the first covered section of thebacking element.
 12. The wiper blade of claim 11, wherein the backingelement further comprises a second rail, wherein a first groove isformed by and between the first rail and the second rail.
 13. The wiperblade of claim 12, wherein a vertebra is disposed within the firstgroove.
 14. The wiper blade of claim 13, wherein the backing elementfurther comprises a third and fourth rails, wherein a second groove isformed by and between the third and fourth rails, and a second vertebrais disposed within the second groove.
 15. The wiper blade of claim 4,wherein the first cover section embodies a spoiler having an apex and anattack surface.
 16. The wiper blade of claim 1, wherein a vertebra isdisposed inside the wiper strip cavity, above the wiper strip.
 17. Thewiper blade of claim 1, wherein the mounting base further comprises afirst and second base wall which extend downwards from a bottom surface,and wherein each base wall is provided with a bottom base claw whichextends inwardly towards the other base wall, such that the base wallscover and secure the portion of the backing element on which themounting base is disposed.
 18. The wiper blade of claim 1, wherein themounting base further comprises a pair of cavity walls and a rivetextending therebetween such that the rivet may receive and secure aconnector such that the mounting base is capable of connecting to awiper arm through the use of the connector.
 19. A wiper bladecomprising: an elongate wiper strip comprising a wiping lip, a wideportion, and an intermediate portion between the wiping lip and the wideportion, wherein the intermediate portion is narrower than the wideportion; an elastic elongate backing element having a top portion fromwhich two opposing, elongate legs descend, wherein each leg comprises anelongate claw that extends towards the opposite leg and having an endsuch that the ends of the claws of the two legs may define a gap sizedto receive the intermediate portion of the wiper strip, such that thetop portion, legs and claws define a wiper strip cavity and the wideportion of the wiper strip is disposed within the wiper strip cavity; amounting base that is capable of connecting the wiper blade to a wiperarm, and receiving a force from the wiper arm, wherein the mounting baseis disposed on a section of the backing element such that the mountingbase is capable of applying a force from the wiper arm to the backingelement, and the backing element is capable of distributing the forcealong the length of the wiper strip; and a first cover section extendingfrom a first end of the mounting base to a first end of the backingelement and a second cover section extending from a second end of themounting base to a second end of the backing element; wherein the firstand second ends of the mounting base comprises projecting extensions,and the first and second cover sections comprise extension recesses,such that the projecting extensions of the first and second ends of themounting base fit within, and are covered by, the extension recesses ofthe first and second cover sections, respectively.
 20. A wiper bladecomprising: an elongate wiper strip comprising a wiping lip, a wideportion, and an intermediate portion between the wiping lip and the wideportion, wherein the intermediate portion is narrower than the wideportion; an elastic elongate backing element having a top portion fromwhich two opposing, elongate legs descend, wherein each leg comprises anelongate claw that extends towards the opposite leg and having an endsuch that the ends of the claws of the two legs may define a gap sizedto receive the intermediate portion of the wiper strip, such that thetop portion, legs and claws define a wiper strip cavity and the wideportion of the wiper strip is disposed within the wiper strip cavity; amounting base that is capable of connecting the wiper blade to a wiperarm, and receiving a force from the wiper arm, wherein the mounting baseis disposed on a section of the backing element such that the mountingbase is capable of applying a force from the wiper arm to the backingelement, and the backing element is capable of distributing the forcealong the length of the wiper strip; and a first cover section extendingfrom a first end of the mounting base to a first end of the backingelement; wherein the first end of the mounting base comprises aprojecting extension, and the first cover section is further providedwith an extension recess, such that the projecting extension fitswithin, and is covered by, the extension recess of the first coversection; and wherein the mounting base further comprises a first andsecond base wall which extend downwards from a bottom surface, andwherein each base wall is provided with a bottom base claw which extendsinwardly towards the other base wall, such that the base walls cover andsecure the portion of the backing element on which the mounting base isdisposed.